Junior Achievement of the Eastern Shore

About Our Office

A Brief History: Junior Achievement was founded by 1919 by Theordore Vail, president of American Telephone and Telegraph; Horace Moses, president of Strathmore Paper Co.; and Senator Murray Crane of Massachusetts. Its first program, the Company Program, was offered to high school students on an after-school basis. Locally, JA was founded in 1959. In 1975, the organization entered the classroom with the introduction of Project Business for the middle grades. In 1982 JA was brought to the Eastern Shore by the Greater Salisbury Committee. Over the last 20 years, Junior Achievement has gradually expanded its activities and broadened its scope to encompass an ever-widening student population.

Area Facts:

Founded in 1982 as a Wilmington, DE affiliate

Became its own entity in 1987 as Junior Achievement of the Eastern Shore, Inc.

JA will reach over 6,000 elementary, middle grades and high school students in the upcoming school year

In the last ten years, the number of students and classes has more than doubled

Independent national program evaluations show that JA programs are effective

All area superintendents have approved the JA programs for their schools

Volunteer Facts:

Over 300 classroom volunteers will serve as JA role models

77% of all volunteers return to the classroom after their initial experience

JA business volunteers have no special background beyond a willingness to give of their time and energies

Fundraising Facts:

Funding provided by local corporations, foundations and individuals through yearly giving campaigns

Major special events:

Golf Tournament

Ladies Night Out

Hall of Fame Luncheon

JA is a non-profit 501c3 corporation that does not receive United Way or Government funding.

Key Programs: Programs span K-12, with age-appropriate curricula designed to teach elementary students their roles as individuals, workers, and consumers, and to prepare middle grade and high school students for key economic and workforce issues they will face. In addition to bringing the free enterprise system to life in the classroom, Junior Achievement programs teach young people the importance of staying in school. JA also offers two programs available via the internet.

Whom does it reach? Through 158 domestic affiliates, Junior Achievement reaches more than four million U.S. students each year. JA programs are also in 113 countries worldwide. Locally, in the counties of Wicomico, Worcester, Somerset, Dorchester, and Talbot Counties, JA of the Eastern Shore reaches over 6,000 students each year in both public and private school classrooms.

Need Volunteers:

Classroom

Junior Achievement's 108,000 classroom volunteers come from all walks of life and include business people, parents, college students, and retirees. JA programs are approximately one-hour sessions, taught over the course of 5 to 10 weeks.

Special Events

Committee members are needed to help plan and execute our events

Fundraising Executives

JA Board Members

Funding: Junior Achievement of the Eastern Shore is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and work readiness skills completely FREE to the schools. Our funding comes from grants, donations, school sponsorships, and special events.

WANT TO GIVE?

WANT TO LEND A HAND?

WANT TO GET INVOLVED?

“Ms. Weise and her third graders have touched me in a way that I will never forget, and reinforced my belief that our children (and our teachers) are the most important people on the planet!”

Michele Hall, JAES volunteer

“I cannot believe the level of understanding these young children have for what we are teaching them….I truly felt like I had made a difference in their little lives.”

Nancy O'Rourke, JAES volunteer

“Volunteering for Junior Achievement is one of the greatest things I do each year.Teaching our youth about financial literacy is very important, especially in today's economy.It's a very good feeling to walk into the class room and feel like a 'rock star'.”

Angie Jarvis, Avery Hall Insurance -- JAES volunteer and board member

“The Junior Achievement Company Program is an excellent program for youth.It absolutely gives them the guidance needed to start and maintain a business.I highly recommend this program to anyone working with youth.”

James Holbrook, WCBOE's Project Success

“Teaching high school students the mechanics of developing and launching a business included so many "aha" moments – for them and for me.It opened their eyes to the possibility of a future filled with engaging work that makes a difference.”